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Shortage of construction workers could mean big payoff for new recruits

2015-05-15

Construction companies and trade unions are working together to try and get a younger workers to join the construction industry in King County.

"There is an eminent shortage of construction workers within the next four to six months that will last several years," said David Allen, executive vice president, McKinstry, a construction contracting company.

Marlena Sessions of Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County said that in the past two years since the recession, the shortage of construction workers in King County has reached "crisis proportions."

"The amount of construction in this region is unfrequented in Seattle proper, it's in Bellevue, it's in Renton, it's in Kirkland," said Suzanne Dale Estey, president of the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County.

She added, "The big concern is some project might come to a standstill because they just don’t have enough workers."

Sessions said part of the problem is that many construction workers are the ages of 45 to 64, and are retiring.

Allen said construction companies and unions are trying to find ways to attract more younger people to apprenticeships.

During an apprenticeship, a new worker would learn skills of the job and would still get paid.

"I think there's been a really bad story about manufacturing and construction jobs that says it's dirty, it's dangerous, it's not good pay," said Allen.

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County says the average wage for a construction worker in King County is $59,454.

However Allen, said the potential for someone to make a six figure salary in the industry is not uncommon.

"Our skillscraft people make between $55 and $75 an hour which is $110,000 to $150,000 a year," said Allen.

He said people who are interested should either have a high school diploma, or GED, pass a drug test, and be physically able to do the work.

The Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County also projects that construction industry employment will grow 22.26 percent by 2020.

"There are huge both private and public projects underway and that means we need workers to build all of these projects," said Estey.

Allen said that people interested in an apprenticeship should contact a local trade union or construction company.